As Providence Business News goes to press this week, the PBN.com poll, "Where do you expect to retire?" is speaking volumes.
Of the votes cast by midday Wednesday, slightly more than one-quarter of respondents said Rhode Island would be their destination to enjoy their golden years. That means nearly three-quarters of them do not expect to retire here or are not sure where they will go.
The poll was prompted by a study from GOBankingRates.com rating the best states in which to retire. Rhode Island came in at No. 11 on the worst end of the report. Vermont was second-worst, while Maine was ninth-worst on the list, which takes into account taxes, living expenses, banking, health insurance and social security (not the federal program), among other factors.
Rhode Island is often pilloried when compared with other states, and perhaps all the bad press contributes to an overall poor impression, even among those who should know it best. The Ocean State touts its quality of life to attract people to move here. Somehow, we need to do the same to keep them here. •